Media releases

On World Mental Health Day, Dementia Australia is calling on the federal government and the health and aged care sectors to ensure the mental health needs of people living with dementia, their families and carers are sufficiently met.

Dementia Australia and Deakin University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A2I2) were yesterday jointly awarded the Victorian iAward in the Not-For-Profit and Community Solution of the Year category for, ‘Ted the AI Avatar Living with Dementia’.

A Joint Position Statement issued by Carers Australia and Dementia Australia during National Carers Week has spoken about the discrimination faced, not only by people living with dementia, but also by their family and friend carers. ‘It is vital that the unpaid carers of people living with dementia are able to live a life free from discrimination,’ said Carers Australia CEO, Ms Liz Callaghan and Dementia Australia CEO, Ms Maree McCabe.

Dementia Australia has welcomed the Western Australian Government’s investment of $9.6 billion for health and mental health services in the state. The budget includes $306 million towards mental health services, $18.8 million towards the new 38 bed residential aged and palliative care facility in Carnarvon and $20.1 million to strengthen end of life care and to support implementation of voluntary assisted dying reforms.

Dementia Australia was today acknowledged with top 10 inclusion in the 2020 AFR Boss Most Innovative Companies List for the tablet app, A Better Visit™. Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said it was an honour to be recognised for the app which was designed to help families enjoy ‘a better visit’ with loved ones living with dementia.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Dementia Australia released four Help Sheets which have now been translated into 38 languages. The four Help Sheets outline tips for people living with dementia, carers, families and friends of people living with dementia, residential care providers and home care providers.

An estimated 460,000 Australians are living with dementia. While Dementia Australia welcomes the $11.3 million for expert psychosocial supports, the lack of focus on dementia within a $115.5 billion budget in 2020–21 for health, aged care and sport, reveals that dementia is still not receiving the attention it deserves. 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dementia Australia has developed virtual classroom education for aged care workers, to equip staff with strategies and skills to provide quality care for people living with dementia. The courses, accessible from anywhere in Australia, are suitable for everyone involved in providing support for people living with dementia in residential aged care and community care.

Dementia Australia has welcomed a special report on the COVID-19 pandemic in aged care from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.     Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said the physical and mental health impacts of COVID-19 on people living with dementia has been and continues to be significant – this is deeply concerning.

Patience and taking time are simple measures that people can take to support those living with dementia to continue to live full and active lives. During Dementia Action Week (21-27 September) Dementia Australia is sharing tips to help people understand how they can make a positive difference in the lives of people living with dementia.

This week, for Dementia Action Week – from 21 September-27 September - Dementia Australia is sharing daily tips showing simple, yet effective, ways to support people living with dementia. Today, on day one, Dementia Australia is focusing on how to make home life easier for people living with dementia with a few smart changes.